Read Rick's Reluctant Mate for Free Online

indicating him and his brother, "but I want to
give you one last chance to back out. A lot of the stuff we deal with isn't
pleasant." He glanced at Brody and then back at Rick. "We can muddle
through if you want to take a few more years doing whatever it is young humans
do these days."
    "We won't hold it against you if you
want to spend some time traveling and getting to know your mate," Brody
added.
    Rick shook his head, trying not to think how
badly things had gone with Jordan. He didn't actually want to reveal details,
especially since he didn't really understand them himself, but it seemed only
fair that his new bosses at least understood the current situation.
    "Jordan has made it very clear that he
doesn't want me as his mate." He tried to say the words without letting
the emotions leak through, but judging by the sympathetic looks he hadn't quite
succeeded. Rick had no choice but to brazen it out. It wasn't as if he could
put his life on hold while he grieved the absence of love from a man he barely
knew. "I'm ready to start work anytime you're ready to hire me."
    Adrian and Brody exchanged a look, but both
men nodded.
    "Then let's get started."
    Three hours later Rick's head was spinning
with so many details that he was starting to feel a little dizzy, but he'd also
managed to track down a few more details that might help in one of APS's most urgent investigations.
    Just the thought that innocent paranormals
were being abducted and sold was enough to make him feel ill. Learning that the
same people were using brainwashing techniques to turn innocent children into
cold-blooded assassins was seriously disturbing. Heck, when Adrian had warned
him that they dealt with unpleasant cases and situations, he hadn't been
exaggerating.
    "You okay, Rick?" Brody asked when
Adrian left the room to order them some lunch.
    "I think so," Ricky answered
honestly. "It's a lot to take in, but I feel like I can help."
    Brody nodded. "You are helping, far
more than even we thought possible."
    Rick tried not to blush at the compliment,
but he supposed it was probably going to be his reaction to a lot of stuff
until he grew used to working in an office filled with people with the sort of
experience he was fast learning the Alateeka siblings had.
    Brody grinned but, just like Adrian had done
at the beginning of his interview, the man suddenly turned serious.
"Anytime you need a break from any of this, just let one of us know . The job comes with
plenty of vacation and personal leave allowances as well as twenty-four-seven
security in a home in a secure location, so money shouldn't be an issue if you
need some time off to process the emotions."
    Rick knew his eyes widened at the understanding
he heard in Brody's tone as well as the generosity of the contract APS was
offering. It was the type of employment many of his fellow college students had
aspired to, yet even with his computer skills, Rick hadn't really believed such
working conditions existed, or that he'd be offered
them, especially after dropping out of college.
    "Thanks," he said quietly.
"I'll try to live up to your faith in me."
    Brody tilted his head toward the pile of
notes they'd made as Rick had uncovered a whole lot of things criminals thought
were safely encrypted when sent via the Internet. "You already have, Rick.
Welcome to APS."
     

Chapter Five
     
    Jordan stayed in the underbrush and watched
as his mate made a life without him. It was very clear this was where Ricky belonged.
Alateeka Protection Services might have been a successful planet-wide security
company, but what the Alateeka siblings did was a whole lot different. They
needed someone with Ricky's skills, and Jordan was very happy that his mate had
found a home and a future here. He was a valued employee and APS had even
provided around-the-clock protection and a secure home for Ricky to live in.
    Of course, that left Jordan with nothing to
do. Even if there was a dangerous situation, chances were he'd be